No.802
is one of Queensland Government Railways’ highly successful C17 class 4-8-0
locomotives of which 227 units were constructed by a variety of builders
between 1920 and 1953.No 802
represents the original ‘1920 design’ of C17 which are identifiable by a straight-sided
cutaway cab, cast iron chimney and a low-sided bogie tender, however it has
been fitted with the later ‘1938 design’ boiler with a low steam dome.No 802 was the first of a batch of 25
additional C17-class engines imported from the UK manufacturer Armstrong
Whitworth & Co in 1927 and unloaded at the Pinkenba wharf in
Brisbane.(I have provided some
further information about the Queensland Railways’ C17 class locomotives on
the page for C17 No.2.)

No.802
was placed in Queensland Government Railways service in July 1927 and written
off 42 years later in June 1969.Upon
retirement it was plinthed in a park at Roma for the Roma and District
Tourist Development Association.

After
30 years plinthed at Roma, fate turned for the better for No.802 in March
2000 when it was acquired by the Mary Valley Heritage Railway (MVHR) for their popular
‘Valley Rattler’ operation on the branch line from Gympie to Imbil.No.802 was overhauled in their Gympie
workshop and released to MVHR service in 2003, becoming the second service
engine to sister No.45.The restored
loco 802 'Roma' follows the MVHR tradition of being named after the town in
which it was once plinthed.Following
restoration and overhaul it now sports a B18 1/4 class tender and a suburban
D17 whistle.

The photos on this page date from the webmaster’s ride to
Imbil on the Mary Valley Rattler on 28 January 2004; a most enjoyable day
declared by my wife to be “the best steam train trip yet” (high praise
indeed!)The train crew were
particularly welcoming and friendly, and an unexpected treat arose when the
train paused at Dagun on the return journey, where a local community stall
sold fresh frozen mango ice-blocks, which provided welcome refreshment to the
heat and humidity of a Queensland January.

No.802 and her nicely-presented train
departing Imbil on the return run to Gympie.28 January 2004.

No.802 awaiting deaprture time at the
delightful Imbil station.28 January
2004.

No.802 ambling up the turntable road at
Imbil.28 January 2004.

No.802’s builder’s
plate, attached to the cabside.

Armstrong Whitworth & Co plates seem to be missing some
decoration or text in the centre!